"RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES 1991: CONQUEST!" (End Scene) Starring BILL BLAKE as 'Caesar'

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@JackassJunior627 (@BillBlakeSPFX): Some time ago, you asked me where I got the "POTA" costume, etc., and while I was editing your 'section' of the Comments here, I ACCIDENTALLY deleted your original question - (VERY SORRY ABOUT THAT!!)... So, here is the answer [once again] for the benefit of YOU, and all the others who may be curious about this aspect of my work:

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@BillBlakeSPFX: Hi, & thanks for asking... The costume is one of Roddy McDowall's ORIGINALS from the movies & the TV series. All during the 1970's, I worked-with & was a Licensee-of 20th-Fox, was in an episode of the TV series, and am the Creator, Producer & Star/Actor-Personality behind the award-winning, record-breaking "MEET ZIRA AND CORNELIUS" live shows & personal-appearances that toured the USA, Hawaii & Canada. So, I had complete-access to Fox's Wardrobe Dept. - See my BIO for more!!

[MitcheruUSA62]

I miss Roddy McDowall. I'm glad I was able to see this! "The King is dead Long live the King!!" PLease do more!!

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@MitcheruUSA62: This is one of the nicest compliments I've gotten here... Short, sweet, & to the point, but, none-the-less, very heart-felt & appreciated... Especially considering the deeper meaning in it (w/the suggestion of me being the natural successor to Roddy/Roddy's "Apes" characters - WHICH HE HAD, INDEED, INDICATED HE WANTED ME TO CARRY ON WITH, THERE-BY KEEPING THEM 'ALIVE'!), & the fact that it ties-in directly with the dialog from the movie - So, again, THANK YOU for the kind words!!

[celticsarebest]

Hi Bill,you did a great job as Caeser,but I don't think the new apes movie is the same story? am I right?

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@celticsarebest: Well... You're right... KIND-OF... You probably already know that the WHOLE 'CORE' of the story is basically right out-of "Conquest", et al, INCLUDING the name of the story's Protagonist. The Studio insists on labeling it as a 'Re-Boot', similar to J.J. Abrams' new "STAR TREK", & much like their stubborn insistence that the Tim Burton DEBACLE in 2001 was a 'Re-Imagination'! However, with character-names like "Caesar", "Jacobs", & "Dodge Landon" (NOT KIDDING), now YOU tell ME?!

[Ralokone]

@BillBlakeSPFX or it could represent the original timeline before apes unexpectedly jumped back in time

But really it is a very different movie, especially since it seems to go with some of the more original ideas before continuity got muddled and weird

a simple proclamation of NO is infinitely more powerful than caesers speach from conquest

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@Ralokone & @celticsarebest: Actually, it's just as simple as a 'little-thing' called, "Already Owning The Property". When a studio [like Fox] has acquired the rights to something, they'll usually 'milk-it' for what it's worth, & will generally 'run it into the ground'... It's not a new concept: Universal did it with their '30's & '40's horror films; the "Francis, The Talking Mule" franchise was 'beaten to death', & the "Lassie" series, like-wise - So... THIS is Fox's 'CASH-COW'... er... 'APE'!!

[Ralokone]

@BillBlakeSPFX I dont think you understand how things work

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@Ralokone: Ah, but I DO [understand how {these} things work]. After over 43 YEARS in this 'Industry', & working from the 'inside', I certainly know that I have a better understanding of it than you [likely] do - no offense... PLEASE NOTE: I've worked with many different Creators, Producers, Actors, etc., & have created, written, produced, directed, acted, AND MORE, MYSELF, in this business over the above, massive span of time, so I have witnessed many of these, described practices first-hand!

[Ralokone]

@BillBlakeSPFX so you are the swiss army knife of film making then?

I have come across alot of arguements on the internet where imbeciles try and claim superior knowledge! Trying to claim that they have mastered every field of hte proffession and are effectively god, therefor cannot be wrong.

I am not falling for it.

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@Ralokone: No one's asking you to 'fall for' anything... And you're not going to lure me into a meaningless debate. FACTS ARE FACTS, & I KNOW WHAT I KNOW. Anyway, THIS is MY CHANNEL, & these are MY VIEWS & PERSONAL EXPERIENCES gleaned from YEARS UPON YEARS of ACTUAL, WORKING EXPERIENCE - IN THE 'TRENCHES'... I've been many places; done many things... YOU need to respect that, & if these observations do not 'sit well' with you, then kindly seek an 'arguement' ELSEWHERE - I won't 'feed' you here!!

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@Ralokone: (And, YES, I AM the "Swiss Army Knife" of Film-Making!! - My FANS & VIEWS, for this one, simple, 'primitive' piece, would seem to bear that out - along-with the people who remember & have praised my work of the last [nearly] HALF-CENTURY! So, then... Thanks for stopping by. Although, I will not be reacting or responding to any of YOUR future posts. I'd MUCH rather spend MY valuable time answering those who have genunuinely appreciated & positively benefitted-from my efforts!! --30--)

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@Ralokone: There's much more on this point [& others, both related & non-related], below, but before you look at any of that, please scroll-down to "View all Comments >>", at the bottom, Right-Hand-Side of this page, & CLICK on it. Doing that 'aligns' all the commentaries IN PROPER ORDER, so you can follow the 'thread' in each section, & so that everything makes sense [DON'T click-on "Sort by thread (beta)", above]. I'm sure you'll find it ALL most interesting AND informative -- MANY THANKS!!

[celticsarebest]

This is so cool.Any other acting videos like this of the apes films.

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@celticsarebest: I have a couple, small 'snippets' on-hand, but they're 'performed' within the body of some interviews I've done. Once again, I haven't had the time, recently, to get any of that edited or posted; I'm trying to make some progress on some of it, shortly. As mentioned below, I'm also planning to do a few, BRAND-NEW, re-enacted scenes, w/all the correct sets, locations, props, costumes, makeup, etc., as materials I can use in my Acting Reel - Hopefully, I can get to that SOON, TOO!!

[celticsarebest]

@BillBlakeSPFX can't wait till you post them,and look forward to new movie.

[celticsarebest]

Seems close to real

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@celticsarebest: Well... Actually... It's MUCH CLOSER to "real", than you may imagine: I actually worked w/Roddy; he was a staunch-supporter of my work. Although, I must say that I KNOW this IS NOT an EXACT rendition of the end-scene in "Conquest", nor was it really meant to be. It was just something I staged - IMPROMPTU - for fans at the "Starcon '96" convention, so they could have a [kind-of] souvenir of my appearance there. It was NEVER intended as a 'polished' piece, but I think IT'S OKAY!!

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@celticsarebest:There's quite a bit more on this point, below, but before you look at any of that, please scroll-down to "View all Comments >>", at the bottom, Right-hand-side of this page, and CLICK on it. Doing that 'aligns' all the commentaries IN PROPER ORDER, so you can follow the 'thread' in each section [but DON'T click-on "Sort by thread (beta), above], & so that everything makes sense - MANY THANKS!

[SamoanWarrior98]

Please put up more vids ur great and I heard u on Leo laporte

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@SamoanWarrior98: MUCH APPRECIATED!! I'm working on THAT right now (putting up more vids); between outside-responsibilities & dealing with a new editing program I have to become familiar-with, I haven't been able to - JUST YET. With apologies, I'll be getting to more posts just as soon as I possibly can (I have lots more raw-footage to edit, you'll enjoy!), so I hope you'll please bear-with-me - Yes, concerning Leo: It's ALWAYS a pleasure to do his show; he's FOR REAL, & GREAT FUN to talk-to!!

[AceProductions91]

He sounds EXACTLY like him.

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@AceProductions91: Ah... The comments that are SO NICE...

[AceProductions91]

He actually sounds like McDowall.

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@AceProductions91: ...He decided to LEAVE THEM TWICE!! -- THANK YOU!!!!

[funk192]

Wow, I thought this was actually Roddy McDowell, your voice sounds exactly the same.

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@funk192: THANK YOU! For additional info on my voice-work, and about my experiences with the "Return to the Planet of the Apes" animated series, please see below. As many more comments have been left since, though, and those stories have been pushed further down, please allow me to repeat a piece of advice here - "You Tube" comments are sometimes 'scrambled & out-of-order. Since many of my stories are longer than a single post's space will permit, to see them chronologically and in proper-order:

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@funk192: PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS COMMENTS PAGE. WHEN YOU GET THERE, CLICK ON "View all Comments>>" . This will align all of my commentaries/story-sections CHRONOLOGICALLY in the column (it will say "Sort by time", in the UPPER LEFT-HAND CORNER, so you'll know you've done it right). By doing this, everything will line-up IN ORDER, so that you can follow the story/comments, properly, through to conclusion, and it will all make [the originally-intended] sense. Once again, THANKS!

[GenesisApes]

Hi Bill, would be great if you could write your memoirs from your Planet Of The Apes days, I'd buy it! You must have loads of great stories and pics from back in the day.

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@GenesisApes: Thank you... THAT WOULD BE 'ONE'! - I noticed that you're based in the UK... So, as a partial response to your comments, & answer to your question, you MAY want to speak to the guys over at "Simian Scrolls" (the "APES" fan magazine), & ASK THEM, WHY they 'sat' [FOR YEARS!], on 'mountains' of materials I gave them way-back in 2005? That stuff was sent at their requests, & included a 26-PAGE INTERVIEW MANUSCRIPT, 'tons' of RESUME'-INFO, PICTURES, and YEARS-WORTH of e-mail exchanges!!

[GenesisApes]

@BillBlakeSPFX Hi Bill and thanks for the reply. We need to give them a kick up the ass and get that stuff of yours published! I haven't subscribed to them but I am planning on doing so in the near future.

[ThatSaxonGuy]

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. They should have used your voice on the new Rise of the Apes movie.

Well done sir.

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@ThatSaxonGuy: Well, THANKS! But, unfortunately, it's a mistake that FOX has made - FOUR TIMES IN A ROW, NOW! (The TV Series [Roddy wanted 'out' after January of '75, because of facial-problems w/the makeup; I was being 'groomed' by Gene Roddenberry - he was working w/the Series' Producers - as the replacement]; The Animated Series [see comments, below - INCREDIBLE!!]; The Tim Burton 'Re-Imagination'; &, the CURRENT 'Incarnation', "Rise of the Planet of the Apes".) - HEY FOX, I'M STILL ALIVE!!

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@ThatSaxonGuy: Oh, and, BTW, while we're on the subject: Since "You Tube " tends to 'scramble' some of these posts for some strange reason, on the comments-section below the videos, & since many of my histories recounted here require more than one post to tell the story - LINEARLY - I'd recommend that you scroll-down to the bottom of this page to "View All Comments", click on that, & ALL the 'threads' of commentary will be aligned - IN ORDER - so you can better follow the stories to conclusion!!

[legalcomic]

I really enjoyed your performance...very realistic. I have a suggestion that would improve your video. You could have dubbed in the sound and gotten rid of the distracting background noise (if you like that background noise it could have been reduced). Because of the off camera voice and the voice behind the mask it would be easy to do and would not have been so distracting. Also the voice of the ape would have been more dynamic and forceful. Thanks for the clip.

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@legalcomic: Hi, Sorry for the lateness in responding - I was 'tied-up' w/other, pressing business. Thank you for your insightful input. Yes - AS A PROFESSIONAL - I would totally agree with EVERYTHING you've said, however, this was NEVER intended to be a 'polished-piece'. It was more of a 'home-movie' for fans who had requested it, at the close of the Convention mentioned. Were I to 'tamper w/it, the spontaneity of the moment would be lost - flaws & all - I plan BETTER for NEXT-TIME - PROMISE!!

[Tshaf37redux]

Nice! Your voice was dead on for Roddy McDowell. Nice job well done.

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@Tshaf37redux: Once again, I can only offer generous THANKS! I'm happy that you enjoyed the performance - even though it was an improvised one... Please 'stay-tuned' for more offerings, SOON TO COME!!

[majikcarpet727]

needs more stank on the intensity, and why are there cars in the middle of this revolt????

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@majikcarpet727: AS CONCERNS 'ITEM 1': Please see description & replies already posted to the other individuals who commented directly before you for a complete history & explanation regarding this video...

NOW, AS TO 'ITEM 2': The cars belong to Apes from the original PIERRE BOULLE novel "LA PLANETE DES SINGES", come to join the 'Revolution'! They're driving them sitting on their 'rumps', in seats contoured to their bottoms, while working the various controls using their "FOUR AGILE HANDS"!!

[Carandini]

Awesome makeup and it's amazing how eeriely accurate your Roddy McDowell voice is! Well done!

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@Carandini: Well, THANK YOU, for your most-complimentary comments!

Actually, there are TWO things I THANK... for ALL of this: 1. I learned the makeup techniques from THE BEST - My Mentor was JOHN CHAMBERS, the man who won the special 'Oscar', in 1969, for the ORIGINAL "Planet of the Apes"; AND, 2. My association-with & blessings-from RODDY McDOWALL (BTW: HIS name's spelled with an "A", not an "E"). I've done voices since 1968, but Roddy's later-support aided me in refining 'his'. [Continued]...

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@Carandini: In fact, when I was called by MY friend, RICHARD ARNOLD (then-archivist at Paramount for GENE RODDENBERRY/"STAR TREK"), for HIS friend, FRED BRONSON (Executive/Publicist at NBC), in 1975, to audition at "Filmation Studios" as the voice of "Cornelius", for NBC's [then new] animated series "Return to the Planet of the Apes", it was Roddy who supported me in 'going-for' the role (he was doing other things & performing for animation was not 'big on his list', at the time). [Continued]...

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@Carandini: So, I did the audition (voicing "Cornelius" & SEVERAL other characters as well: "Zaius", "Lucius", "Astronaut Bill Hudson", 'generic males', etc.), for 'Creative Director' DOUG WILDEY... And, THEN, things took a VERY strange & bizarre 'turn': Some of the higher 'Suits' (read: EXECUTIVES) over at NBC heard the tapes & 'freaked' -- They felt I did the voices TOO WELL, & were afraid of facing lawsuits from some of the other actors I did impressions-of... INCLUDING RODDY!! [Continued]...

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@Carandini: The 'bottom-line'? I didn't get ANY of the roles for being TOO DAMNED GOOD [AND, in large-part, because of the PARANOIA of those NBC Executives]!

Trouble is, NOBODY at NBC ever thought to ACTUALLY ASK ANY of the other actors, or seek consent! Hell, Roddy was already 'pulling for' me; the others didn't care, or THEY'D have been there auditioning themselves! (AUSTIN STOKER, from "Battle...", who DID care, voiced "Astronaut Jeff Allen")

But wait: It gets EVEN 'BETTER'!! [Continued]...

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@Carandini: Later, 'Our' MR. WILDEY (remember HIM, from above?), the 'Creative Director' of the series, who PERSONALLY auditioned me [& as the 'C.D.', SHOULD have known-better - AND, DID!], took my 'Before & After', 8"X10" audition photos from the Voice-Actors files, & DREW ME, AS "CORNELIUS" INTO THE MONTAGE SEQUENCE OF THE "MISSION OF MERCY" EPISODE OF "RETURN..."! So, I didn't get the voice-work, but my IMAGE was used - WITHOUT COMPENSATION - as the "Cornelius" Character-Model! [Continued]...

[Carandini]

@BillBlakeSPFX Unbelievable! That explains alot about the Return cartoon. NBC must have finally gone for the most lacklustre, lifeless voice performances they could find as a sure way to avoid outraging any of the actors from the films. Except for Henry Corden, the casting in that was terribly listless in their performances (and, of course, for all of his enthusiasm, Corden will always sound like Fred Flintstone). Please accept my sympathies for your misfortune (and embarassment at mispelling).

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@Carandini: "Sympathies" both appreciated & heart-felt; 'Apologies' accepted on behalf of MR. McDOWALL... & "Embarrassment"? Not necessary - MOST make the same mistake...

Yes, you've nailed it; the actors, who DID get the parts, were forced to 'dial-back'. Philippa Harris was adequate as "Zira", although I sensed that she had to 'buck' them & 'push-it', just to get THERE!

But you're 'breaking my stride' here... Allow me to finish the tale - I was discussing DOUG WILDEY'S THEFT of MY IMAGE...

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@Carandini: The 'technique' was known-as "Photo-Sourcing" (TRACING off-of photos); it was an out-right CHEAT, and it drove even Wildey's own colleagues 'wild', because of the inconsistencies created in 'page-panels' (comic books) & 'cell-frames' (animated films). In this case, it sparked a controversy in POTA Fan-Circles, over who had 'posed' for the oddly mis-matched art-styles found in those montage-sequences of "Return...".

Well, I'm gonna' clear THAT up HERE & NOW: IT WAS ME! [Continued]...

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@Carandini: Under my license-agreement with Fox, I own the COPYRIGHT on any materials I generated outside the studio's direct influence, so I STILL OWN THE PHOTO & ITS' COMPOSITION that Wildey PIRATED-FROM, EVEN IF I'M IN THE "APES" MAKEUP. Yet his copy [used without permission, in direct violation of Copyright] was so precise, he reproduced the exact 'glints' in my eyes, & a SCAR next to my Left eye, I got as a child, that shows on my skin OUTSIDE THE BLEND-LINE OF THE APPLIANCE! [Continued]...

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@Carandini: Now Fox has been releasing this stuff on DVD/Blu-Ray & I have yet to see one penny FOR ALL MY TIME, TALENT & HARD-WORK... The way I see it then, IS LIKE THIS: RUPERT MURDOCK, NEWSCORP, & 20TH CENTURY-FOX owe me a SH*T-LOAD of money!! (See one of my Favorites: "Harlan Ellison - Pay the Writer", for a more 'SHARP-TOOTHED' view on this subject.)

BUT IN THE MEANTIME: RUPERT... I'M-A CALLIN' YOU OUT! TIME TO "BELLY-UP TO THE 'BAR-BIE' MATE" (HE'S AN AUSSIE!) - PAY THE [DAMN] ACTOR!! -30-

[Peanutman1954]

Awesome makeup and acting. Well done. For a minute, I thought I was looking at a real scene from the movie. I wish you were in my videos "Planet of the Apes meets Star Trek," and "Rise of the Apes What we Expect." Check them out. Keep up the good work. I hope to see more of your videos in the future!

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@Peanutman1954: Your kind comments are VERY-MUCH appreciated, Joe, even though I [personally] nowhere-near consider this to be my best work, by any stretch of the imagination. It just happens to be what I've got available on video to post at the moment.

As mentioned in my description of the clip, it was a VERY impromptu 'performance' - AFTER I had already finished a most-grueling schedule, starting-on that previous week, with intense preparation for a commercial I was working-on. [Continued]...

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@Peanutman1954: Then, ALL WEEKEND-LONG, I was in Panel-Discussions, TV Interviews, Personal-Appearances, over-seeing an "Apes" Makeup Demonstration (while, MYSELF, already in full "Apes" makeup & costume!). By the end of the Convention, I was pretty-much 'drained'. I did the 'scene' at the request of Fans & Friends there, who wanted something of me on-video as a 'souvenir'; so [being the 'Trouper' that I am], I did my best to oblige.

The performance COULD be more intense, I know. [Continued]...

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@Peanutman1954: THAT'S WHY I said [in the video-description] that I'm working-on doing a series of scenes from "Apes" [and other various films], with all the proper makeup, costuming, props, sets & locations - whenever time & budget will allow...

BTW: I'll also be posting, shortly, some behind-the-scenes footage of those interviews I mentioned doing, and, later, THE ACTUAL SHOW-SEGMENTS & INTERVIEWS THEMSELVES.

So, please check back at my Channel from time-to-time for THOSE! - Again, THANKS!

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@Peanutman1954: Oh, and, Joe: "I leave the 20th Century with no regrets. But one more thing - IF anybody's listening, that is - nothing 'scientific'; it's purely personal: Seen from 'out here' everything seems different..." Yeah, meaning from the perspective of someone who started 'out, here' as an old-school, 'nuts & bolts, wire, tape & rubber-band' effects-guy, and is gradually adjusting to the new technologies, I'm STILL blown-away by some of the great stuff you guys are doing! [Continued]...

[BillBlakeSPFX]

@Peanutman1954: That's why I subscribed to your channel, welcome your input, & strongly encourage you to keep-at-it, giving "Hollywood" 'a run-for-its'-money'. You know what "Hollywood" is, don't you? It's that 'magical' place where you will find the...

"...'Movie-Men, those 'marvels' of [THEIR version-of] the Universe; the glorious paradoxes who send us all the 'Stars', [and] STILL make war against their 'Brother-Artists'... [try-to] keep their 'Neighboring-Creators' starving..." -- CHEERS!!